UMass Lowell Logo
UMass Lowell Online Graduate, Undergraduate
& Professional Studies
UMass Lowell Logo
UML Online
Log In

Available entirely online!

Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts

Personalize your program of study with UMass Lowell's flexible and affordable online liberal arts degree.

Get Information:

Please see our Privacy Policy.
Elizabeth WintonBLA
Online liberal arts degree student, Elizabeth Winton.
Next Start Date: October 30

Online Liberal Arts Degree

The online liberal arts degree is UMass Lowell's most custom-designed major, allowing you to integrate two programs of study and tailor your degree to your unique career goals and interests. With only two required focus courses, you can explore electives that develop your educational and professional pursuits. The flexibility of the liberal arts curriculum makes it a convenient option for transfer students or those who change majors and want their previously earned credits to count.

Your school to UMass Lowell

Transfer up to 90 College Credits

online equals day school

Same Degree Online or On-Campus

dollar sign and diploma

Variety of Financial Aid and Scholarships Available

12-36 month calendar

Complete in as Little as 12 to 36 Months

Liberal Arts Career Outlook

The liberal arts degree is a good choice if you have occupational goals that don't fall within a single field of study. Graduates move on to careers in the nonprofit and private sectors as managers, educators, entrepreneurs, writers, and social services professionals.

22.82M
Jobs (2020)
+1.9%
% Change (2020-2021)
$50.4K/yr
Median Earnings
2,904,709
Annual Openings
Source: Lightcast, 2022

Occupations

  • Archeologists
  • Artists
  • Chief Executives
  • Computer Support Specialists
  • Economists
  • Financial Managers
  • Public Relations Specialists
  • Human Resources Specialists
  • General and Operations Managers
  • Graphic Designers
  • Interpreters and Translators
  • Marketing Managers
  • Project Management Specialists
  • Sales Managers
  • Social Workers
  • Social Scientists
  • Teachers
  • Writers
Kevin Petersen
"We've seen with the research that [liberal arts graduates] evolve as professions, technology and new work norms emerge. Liberal Arts folks, as a group, tend to do really well and move to middle and upper management in different careers."
Learn more about the Liberal Arts Degree from Professor Kevin Petersen.

The Liberal Arts Promotes Skills Employers Value

The integrative, multidisciplinary structure of the liberal arts program explores a variety of subjects and perspectives, encouraging you to think critically about complex issues. You'll receive a well-rounded education that encourages curiosity and a set of highly-valued, transferable job skills, including:

  • Critical thinking
  • Creativity
  • Information literacy
  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Cultural fluency
  • Communication skills
  • Independent judgment and leadership
  • Writing and reflective reading skills
Best Bachelors US News and World Report Award
Ranked as One of the Best Online Bachelor's Programs in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report
"According to studies from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers often rank skills such as critical thinking and communication — hallmarks of a liberal arts education — above technical aptitude as essential skills for career readiness."
— U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Career Outlook, 'Putting Your Liberal Arts Degree to Work.

Customize your Degree

Personalize your program of study by choosing up to two concentrations.

The Art History concentration creates visually literate students with a fundamental understanding of the historical development of art in societies and cultures around the world. Students will further develop the ability to organize their perceptions and thoughts about artwork so that they can provide a well-informed analysis that honors the historical and cultural context of the artwork.
The Criminal Justice concentration offers students a grounding in both criminological theory and the operation of the criminal justice system. The concentration pairs well with other concentrations in the social sciences such as Psychology, Political Science and Legal Studies. The concentration also appeals to students seeking an interdisciplinary approach to studying criminal justice alongside areas ranging from gender studies to history, which can prepare them for a variety of possible careers in emerging fields, particularly in public service.
The Disability Studies concentration offers students the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of disability from multiple perspectives. This concentration helps prepare students who are interested in a career in education, human services, social work, non-profit organizations, engineering/assistive technology, nursing, health, physical therapy, occupational therapy and many other areas.

Economics

The Economics concentration provides students with a deep understanding of economic principles and their relationship with commerce, production and the exchange of products and services. Students will learn how changes to business practices and international policy can affect the economy as businesses and countries struggle to remain agile in a competitive global marketplace.

English

The English concentration provides students with a comprehensive foundation in English, from learning how to write and present information in a factual and engaging manner, to studying classic and contemporary works of English and American literature. Graduates of the program pursue careers in fields that draw upon their professional writing talents including journalism, marketing, publishing, communications, management, theatre arts, filmmaking, politics, government and the law.

Gender Studies

There is a growing demand in the workforce for experts and professional consultants in gender issues. The Gender Studies concentration explores the history of women in societies throughout the world, providing students with an understanding of how social and cultural influences have shaped the lives and roles of women throughout history.

Graphic Design

The Graphic Design concentration introduces students to the fundamentals of graphic design and enables them to develop a set of creative and technical skills that are in demand in the industry. Students study a variety of subjects including typography, branding, design, social media, advertising and more. This concentration allows students to develop skillsets that are useful in almost all areas of employment.
The History concentration provides students with a deep understanding of world history and the impact historical events have had on the world in which we live today. Courses in this concentration provide students with practical experiences in research, analysis, writing, presentation, theory and critical thinking.

Legal Studies

The Legal Studies concentration enables students to gain a broad understanding of legal practices while they work towards a solid foundation in Liberal Arts. Students study a variety of legal topics including criminal and tort law, contract law, corporate law, family law, environmental law, racial discrimination and real estate law. Many of the courses in this concentration provide students with a preview of classes offered in law school.

Philosophy

The Philosophy concentration prepares students to enter a variety of careers, including law, business, politics or the arts. The study of philosophy aims to sharpen critical thinking skills, develop written and oral communication, and produce an ability to think reflectively about one's values. Philosophy courses provide a broad grounding in the humanities, including the study of both Western and Eastern traditions.

Political Science

The Political Science concentration is designed to provide students with in-depth insight into the nature of politics and government on the local, state, national and international levels. Students develop a better understanding of the political process along with the ability to analyze political systems, relationships, and social issues affecting law, government, international policy, business and sports.

Psychology

Courses in the Psychology concentration cover such topics as human development, the learning process, sexuality, the relationship between physiological and psychological processes, sensation and perception, cognitive processes, motivation and emotion, personality, behavioral disorders, and social behavior. Graduates of the program can pursue careers in psychology-related fields such as social work, mental healthcare, human services, counseling, market research and management.

Sociology

Gain an understanding of the nature of social life in our society and others with the B.L.A. concentration in Sociology. Course topics encompass ethnic cultures, the dynamics of social policy, relationships between sexes, the nature of industrial capitalism and the impact of technology on modern society.

Success Story

"Flexibility is a reason I was able to finish my degree. The fact that I knew at the beginning of each course what assignments were due on what day was so nice. I was able to schedule my entire semester around my work and personal life from day one. Being able to log in and do schoolwork whenever I could find the time was the best part."

Sarah N., Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Psychology and Legal Studies
Sarah N.

Sarah N.

Curriculum Outline

- Total Credits: 120-122
- View Course Descriptions »

We generally recommend that first-year students take only 1 or 2 courses their first semester. Subsequent course loads may be determined by the student's own personal time constraints

Concentration Areas

Choose two of the concentration areas below. Take 6 courses from each of your two concentrations (36 credits total). At least three of your courses from each concentration area must be taken at the 3000/4000 level (example: ENGL.3xxx or ENGL.4xxx). Several concentrations specify particular courses that must be taken within the concentration; courses marked with an asterisk below are required for these concentrations.

Some of the courses that may be counted toward the Art History concentration include:

*Required courses for this concentration.

A more comprehensive list of Art History electives is available on our website (look for courses with the ARHI.xxxx course prefix).

Some of the courses that may be counted toward the Criminal Justice concentration include:

  • CRIM.1010 The Criminal Justice System * (3cr)
  • CRIM.2010 Systemic Issues in Criminal Justice* (3cr)
  • CRIM.2210 Criminology * (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
  • CRIM.3270 Violence in America (3cr)
  • CRIM.3600 Gender, Race, and Crime (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
  • CRIM.3850 Crime and Mental Illness (3cr)
  • CRIM.4010 Substance Abuse and Crime (3cr)
  • CRIM.4220 Victimology (3cr)

A more comprehensive list of Criminal Justice electives is available on our website (look for courses with the CRIM.xxxx course prefix).

*Required courses for this concentration.

Below are the courses for the Disability Studies concentration:

Required Courses
  • PSYC.3630 Introduction to Disability Studies * (3cr)
Required Elective Courses (Choose 3)
  • ENGL.2580 Disability in Literature (3cr)
  • LGST.2500 Disability and the Law: Legal Rights of People with Disabilities (3cr)
  • PHIL.3105 Philosophy of Disability (3cr)
  • PSYC.3620 Psychology of Developmental Disabilities (3cr)
  • SOCI.2250 Sociology of Disability (3cr)
Elective Courses (Choose 2)

Economics Concentration

Some of the courses that may be included in the Economics concentration are:

*Required courses for this concentration.

A more comprehensive list of Economics electives is available on our website (look for courses with the ECON.xxxx course prefix).

English Concentration

Some of the courses that may be counted toward the English concentration include:

  • ENGL.2070 English Studies in a Digital Environment (3cr)
  • ENGL.2120 The Short Story (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
  • ENGL.2160 Monsters, Apes & Nightmares (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
  • ENGL.2380 Introduction to Creative Writing (3cr)
  • ENGL.3030 Creative Writing: Poetry (3cr)
  • ENGL.3100 Writing Popular Fiction (3cr)
  • ENGL.3450 British Women Novelists (3cr)
  • ENGL.3770 Theories of Rhetoric and Composition (3cr)
  • ENGL.4230 Shakespeare I (3cr)
  • ENGL.4290 Introduction to Literary Theory (3cr)
  • ENGL.4960 Internship I (3cr)

A more comprehensive list of English electives is available on our website (look for courses with the ENGL.xxxx course prefix).

Gender Studies Concentration

Some of the courses that may be counted toward the Gender Studies concentration include:

Graphic Design Concentration

Below are the courses for the Graphic Design concentration:

*Required courses for this concentration.

Some of the courses that may be included in the History concentration are:

  • HIST.1050 Western Civilization I (3cr)
  • HIST.1070 World Civilizations to 1500 (3cr)
  • HIST.1080 World Civilizations Since 1500 (3cr)
  • HIST.2420 World War II (3cr)
  • HIST.2750 African-American History (3cr)
  • HIST.3040 European Economic & Social History (3cr)
  • HIST.3210 The Holocaust (3cr)
  • HIST.3560 Civil War and Reconstruction (3cr)
  • HIST.3740 Stalin's Russia (3cr)

A more comprehensive list of History electives is available on our website (look for courses with the HIST.xxxx course prefix).

Legal Studies Concentration

Some of the courses that may be counted toward the Legal Studies concentration include:

  • LGST.2620 Introduction to Business Law (3cr)
  • LGST.2610 Introduction to Legal Concepts (3cr)
  • LGST.3630 Corporate and Property Law (3cr)
  • LGST.3700 Real Estate Law (3cr)
  • LGST.3810 Women and the Law (3cr)
  • LGST.3830 Alternative Dispute Resolution (3cr)
  • LGST.3860 Intellectual Property (3cr)
  • LGST.3870 Legal Research Methods (3cr)
  • LGST.3920 Wills,Trusts and Estates (3cr)
  • LGST.4900 Legal Aspects of Cyberspace (3cr)

A more comprehensive list of Legal Studies electives is available on our website (look for courses with the LGST.xxxx course prefix).

Philosophy Concentration

Some of the courses that may be included in the Philosophy concentration are:

A more comprehensive list of Philosophy electives is available on our website (look for courses with the PHIL.xxxx course prefix).

Political Science Concentration

Some of the courses that may be counted toward the Political Science concentration include:

  • POLI.1010 Introduction to American Politics (3cr)
  • POLI.1210 Introduction to International Relations (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
  • POLI.2180 Introduction to Politics and Sports (3cr)
  • POLI.2220 Politics of the Internet (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
  • POLI.2300 Law and the Legal System (3cr)
  • POLI.2650 State and Local Politics (3cr)
  • POLI.3160 Politics and Film (3cr)
  • POLI.3320 The Politics of Food (3cr)
  • POLI.3350 Constitutional Law: Powers & Principles (3cr)
  • POLI.3430 Congress (3cr)
  • POLI.3440 American Presidency (3cr)
  • POLI.3530 Public Policy and Administration (3cr)

A more comprehensive list of Political Science electives is available on our website (look for courses with the POLI.xxxx course prefix).

Psychology Concentration

Some of the courses that may be counted toward the Psychology concentration include:

A more comprehensive list of Psychology electives is available on our website (look for courses with the PSYC.xxxx course prefix).

Sociology Concentration

Some of the courses that may be counted toward the Sociology concentration include:

  • SOCI.1010 Introduction to Sociology (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
  • SOCI.2120 Cultures of the World (3cr)
  • SOCI.2200 Self-Assessment and Career Development (3cr)
  • SOCI.3410 Wealth, Status and Power (3cr)
  • SOCI.3450 Urban Sociology (3cr)
  • SOCI.3520 Latinos/as in the United States (3cr)

A more comprehensive list of Sociology electives is available on our website (look for courses with the SOCI.xxxx course prefix).

University Core Curriculum (12 Required Courses / 36-38 credits)

Breadth of Knowledge Requirements

  • ENGL.1010 College Writing I (CW) (3cr)
  • ENGL.1020 College Writing II (CW) (3cr)
  • MATH.---- Mathematics Perspective (MATH) (3cr)
  • ----.---- Social Sciences Perspective (SS) (3cr)
  • ----.---- Social Sciences Perspective (SS) (3cr)
  • ----.---- Social Sciences Perspective (SS) (3cr)
  • ----.---- Science with Lab Course (SCL) (3-4cr)**
  • ----.---- Science with Lab Course (SCL) (3-4cr)**
  • ----.---- STEM Course (STEM) (3cr)
  • ----.---- Arts & Humanities Perspective (AH) (3cr)
  • ----.---- Arts & Humanities Perspective (AH) (3cr)
  • ----.---- Arts & Humanities Perspective (AH) (3cr)

**Note: Some Science with Lab Perspective courses have a lab incorporated into a 3-credit course, while others require that a 1-credit lab be taken alongside a 3-credit course.

Essential Learning Outcomes

In addition to the above Breadth of Knowledge courses, you must fulfill all of the University's seven "Essential Learning Outcomes" (ELOs) as you progress through your degree program. The Essential Learning Outcomes and their abbreviations are:

  • Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA): Be a thoughtful, aware citizen of the global community.
  • Information Literacy (IL): Find, evaluate, and synthesize information effectively and persuasively.
  • Social Responsibility and Ethics (SRE): Shape the world to improve life in your community and beyond.
  • Written and Oral Communication (WOC): Express ideas to professional peers with purpose and clarity.
  • Quantitative Literacy (QL): Be skilled in the many forms and varieties of numerical analysis.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (CTPS): Evaluate ideas and evidence rationally to produce and implement solutions.
  • Applied and Integrative Learning (AIL): Synthesize knowledge and abilities in meaningful practice.

Courses that fulfill the ELO requirement are coded with DCA, IL, SRE, WOC, QL, CTPS and AIL. TIP: Look for Breadth of Knowledge courses and courses required for your degree that offer more than one of these ELO designations, so you can conveniently complete these ELO requirements as you take your required courses.

See the list of Core Curriculum Courses currently available through Graduate, Online & Professional Studies .

For additional information on the Core Curriculum requirement, visit https://www.uml.edu/Academics/undergraduate-programs/gened/Core-Curriculum/

Concentration Requirements (12 Courses / 36 credits)

Concentration I Required Courses (6 courses)

  • ----.---- Concentration I Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Concentration I Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Concentration I Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- 3000/4000 Concentration I Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- 3000/4000 Concentration I Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- 3000/4000 Concentration I Elective (3cr)

Concentration II Required Courses (6 courses)

  • ----.---- Concentration II Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Concentration II Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Concentration II Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- 3000/4000 Concentration II Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- 3000/4000 Concentration II Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- 3000/4000 Concentration II Elective (3cr)

Interdisciplinary Focus Requirement (2 courses / 6 credits)

  • FAHS.2130 Foundations in Liberal Studies (3cr)
  • FAHS.4130 BLA Capstone (3cr)

Foreign Language Requirement

Choose the World Languages Track or the World Ready Track to fulfill your language requirement. Please complete the Language Requirement FAHSS Form to declare which track you will pursue upon acceptance into the Bachelor of Arts program.

Option 1: World Languages Track

Take four consecutive courses in Spanish or French.

  • ----.---- Foreign Language Level 1 (3cr)
  • ----.---- Foreign Language Level 2 (3cr)
  • ----.---- Foreign Language Level 3 (3cr)
  • ----.---- Foreign Language Level 4 (3cr)

Option 2: World Ready Track

Take two consecutive courses in a foreign language and three World Ready Track courses. World Ready Track courses are conducted in English and focus on the culture, civilization, philosophy, literature, history, politics of the region(s) in which the language you declared is spoken.

  • ----.---- Foreign Language Level 1 (3cr)
  • ----.---- Foreign Language Level 2 (3cr)
  • ----.---- World Ready Pre-Approved or Flex Course (3cr)
  • ----.---- World Ready Pre-Approved or Flex Course (3cr)
  • ----.---- World Ready Pre-Approved or Flex Course (3cr)
World Ready French Courses
World Ready Spanish Courses

    • ARCH.3140 American Architecture (Formerly ARHI.3140)
    • ARHI.3250 Studies in Latin American Art
    • ARHI.3350 The Golden Age of Spanish Art
    • PHIL.3880 Latin American Philosophy

    • PHIL.3880 Latin American Philosophy
    • POLI.3700 Latin American Politics
    • WLSP.3050 World Ready Topic Spanish Track
World Ready Flex Courses

To receive credit for World Ready Flex Courses, students must submit an Exception Form signed by the instructor by the end of the course acknowledging that the student completed substantive course work related to their chosen language track.

    • HIST.2740 Native American History

    • ENGL.3410 Studies in Film
    • HIST.2490 The Vietnam War
    • HIST.2740 Native American History

For additional details on the foreign language requirements, visit the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences website https://www.uml.edu/FAHSS/Languages-Cultures/Language-Requirement.aspx.

For additional details on the foreign language requirements, visit the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences website at https://www.uml.edu/FAHSS/Languages-Cultures/Language-Requirement.aspx.

Free Electives (10 courses / 30 credits)

  • ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
  • ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)

Course Descriptions

The course introduces the student to the technical, aesthetic and historical aspects of architecture, sculpture, and painting. An analysis of the visual elements used in fine arts such as color, line, shape, texture, and principles of design are developed through slide lectures, museum visits and assigned readings. In addition, students investigate the purposes of art and visual communication and develop a heightened sense of critical thinking that allows them to investigate successfully different modes of representation, styles and media in a multicultural society. 3 credits. AE, CD, HSA

This course studies the aesthetic, artistic and intellectual similarities between art history and music history. Discussion of the arts focuses on the development in examining the human creativity and expression through the arts: from ancient times as art and morality followed in the Renaissance as art and sciences continued in the Enlightenment as art and society contrasted in the nineteenth century as art and entertainment. Furthermore, this course surveys some of the fundamental aspects of music and art, such as the nature of aesthetic judgment, the task of art and music criticism, including formalist, representational, and contemporary theories on viewing, analyzing, and interpreting the arts. In addition, with a comparative analysis between the modes of visual and aural representation, visual and aural perception, this course analyzes the principal forms and genres of the visual and aural elements of art history and music history, providing an understanding for human creativity and expression. Spring, alternate years. 3 credits.

A survey of the origins of painting, sculpture, and architecture from the prehistoric period through approximately 1300 CE. Works of art are discussed in their historical, cultural, and artistic contexts. 3 credits. AE, CD, HSA

A survey of the origins and development of painting, sculpture, and architecture from Renaissance times to the Modern period. Emphasis is placed on representative works of art from the Renaisance, Baroque, Rococo, Nineteenth Century Movements-Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Impressionism, Cubism, Dadaism, Surrealism and Abstract Art. The aim of the course is to introduce the student to basic critical and art historical methods as well as the analysis of style and content within sequential cultural contexts. 3 credits. AHD

Historical and critical examination of regions works of art from China, Asia, the Islamic world, India, Africa, North America, Latin America, Native American Art and Mexico. Topics vary from year to year. Course may be repeated. 3 credits. AE, HSA

This course centers on the study of American painting, sculpture, and decorative arts from the period of first contact up through the mid-twentieth century. One of the central questions of American art remains its definition: when does it start? What sources does it draw upon? In this class we will discuss American art through its ties to the peoples, events, institutions, and landscape that shaped it. 3 credits. AH

Examination of issues of content, theory, and criticism in contemporary art. Current exhibitions and criticism are integral to the course. Topics vary from year to year. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA). 3 credits. AE, HSA
Prerequisites:

ARHI 2030, 204 pre-req

This course presents a brief history of the Criminal Justice System and an analysis of its structure and function. This course required of all CJ majors and is a prerequisite for all other courses in criminal justice. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA). 3 credits. For permission numbers and questions regarding the Undergraduate Criminal Justice Program, please email Christopher_Harris@uml.edu

This course is designed to inform students about the legacy of bias, discrimination, and inequality in the United States, and how this is particularly reflected in our criminal justice system. Drawing on a number of disciplines the course will explore theories of bias and discrimination both individually and collectively, what common stereotypes and misconceptions exist, and how they impact contemporary criminal justice practices. Evidence-based solutions to the reduction of these systemic issues will be discussed. 3 credits.

The definition and nature of crime, criminal statistics, and theories of crime causation are included. Required of all CJ majors. 3 credits. For permission numbers and questions regarding the Undergraduate Criminal Justice Program, please email Christopher_Harris@uml.edu

This course provides students with an in-depth analysis of the courses, context, and control of a wide range of violent crimes. 3 credits. For permission numbers and questions regarding the Undergraduate Criminal Justice Program, please email Christopher_Harris@uml.edu
Prerequisites:

CRIM 1010 or CRIM 2210 Pre-req

This course examines gender and racial implications of criminal laws, criminal justice practices and programs will be examined. The position of women and racial/ethnic minorities will be assessed from the different perspectives of victims, offenders, and criminal justice practitioners. 3 credits. For permission numbers and questions regarding the Undergraduate Criminal Justice Program, please email Christopher_Harris@uml.edu

This course examines the realities and myths surrounding the involvement of individuals with mental illness in the criminal justice system. Material from criminal justice and psychology will be examined, with emphasis on service models that foster collaboration between mental health professionals, law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. 3 credits. For permission numbers and questions regarding the Undergraduate Criminal Justice Program, please email Christopher_Harris@uml.edu
Prerequisites:

CRIM 1010 or CRIM 2210 Pre-req

Covers the problems posed by substance use/abuse and examines the role and impact of the legal, criminal justice, and public health systems, as well as current treatment/intervention approaches. 3 credits. For permission numbers and questions regarding the Undergraduate Criminal Justice Program, please email Christopher_Harris@uml.edu
Prerequisites:

CRIM 1010 or CRIM 2210 Pre-req

This course examines the patterns of victimization, the characteristics and lifestyles of crime victims, and the impact of their victimizations. The treatment of victims by the criminal justice system will be examined along with possible reforms in these approaches. 3 credits. For permission numbers and questions regarding the Undergraduate Criminal Justice Program, please email Christopher_Harris@uml.edu
Prerequisites:

CRIM 1010 or CRIM 2210 Pre-req

This course examines the causes and consequences of domestic violence and the latest research regarding the responses of the criminal justice system. 3 credits. For permission numbers and questions regarding the Undergraduate Criminal Justice Program, please email Christopher_Harris@uml.edu
Prerequisites:

Junior or Senior Standing Only

Studies the principles of production and exchange. An introduction to demand, supply, pricing, and output under alternative market structures. Derived demand and resource markets are introduced. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Quantitative Literacy (QL). 3 credits. BS

This course studies national accounts, inflation, and aggregate unemployment, as well as the driving forces behind business cycles and long-run growth in the context of aggregate demand and aggregate supply. In addition, it examines monetary and fiscal policy, the Federal reserve, and select additional topics, such as an introduction to open-economy macroeconomics. 3 credits. BS

Presents descriptive statistics, sophisticated counting techniques and other components of probability, simple random variables and their distribution, bivariate functions, sampling theory properties of estimators. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

MATH 1210 pre-req

An introduction to the economic analysis of behaviors and institutions in the labor market: labor supply and participation, labor demand by firms, wage determination under different institutional settings, and gender, race or ethnicity as determinants of different labor market outcomes. The course presents microeconomic models, empirical findings and their public policy implications on topics such as minimum wage, affirmative action, social insurance programs, workplace safety, and subsidized day care. Prerequisites: 49.201 or instructor's approval. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA) and Quantitative Literacy (QL). 3 credits. HSV
Prerequisites:

ECON.2010 pre-req

Provides an advanced examination of price and production theory and the theory of the consumer and the firm. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ECON.2010 pre-req

Building on Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON.2020), this course studies goods markets and money markets in further detail. Emphasis is placed on aggregate labor markets and also on the relationship between inflation, unemployment, and aggregate output. These topics are contextualized in order to examine aggregate economic developments in the short, medium, and long run. Optimal monetary and fiscal policies are examined against this background. Select additional topics are covered, such as the basics of open-economy macroeconomics. This course meets the Essential Learning Outcome of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (CTPS) as defined under the Core Curriculum requirements. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

49.202 pre-req

Applies the economic theory and statistical methods to business decision making. Estimation of demand, production, cost functions and accompanying elasticity estimates, pricing and output decisions, value maximization problems, and capital budgeting. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ECON.2010 pre-req

In this course we will look at different types of investments, from stocks, bonds and real estate top mutual funds, hedge funds and derivatives exploring how and when to use them. Students will create a diversified investment portfolio using an online trading program that incorporates products covered in class. In addition we will look at how different exchanges operate and the role of financial investments in real capital accumulation and rising living standards. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ECON.2010 pre-req

This course studies the formal role of money, interest rates, interest rate determination, and financial markets within the context of aggregate economic activity. These topics are related to central banks, with a focus on the Federal Reserve, and linked to money supply and the tools of monetary policy. Formal theories and practical implementation of strategies and tactics of monetary policy are addressed, as well as their implications for aggregate economic activity. This course meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Information Literacy (IL) and Written & Oral Communication (WOC). 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ECON 2010 and 202 pre-req

The evolution of institutions and their functions, and sources of economic development. The contributions of railroads, agricultural population growth, immigration, capital formation and technological progress to economic development. Other areas addressed: rapid industrialization and antitrust laws; evolution of financial institutions, the creation of the Federal Reserve System, crash of 1929, the depression of the 1930s, the New Deal and various banking acts, the labor movement, the growth of international trade. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ECON 2010 or ECON 2020 pre-req

A workshop course that thoroughly explores the writing process from pre-writing to revision, with an emphasis on critical thinking, sound essay structure, mechanics, and academic integrity. Students will read, conduct rhetorical analyses, and practice the skills required for participation in academic discourse. Students will write expository essays throughout the semester, producing a minimum of four formal essays. 3 credits.

A workshop course that thoroughly explores the academic research writing process with an emphasis on entering into academic conversation. Building on the skills acquired in College Writing I, students will learn to write extensively with source material. Key skills addressed include finding,assessing, and integrating primary and secondary sources, and using proper documentation to ensure academic integrity. Students will produce analytical writing throughout the semester, including a minimum of four formal, researched essays. 3 credits.

Students build on skills acquired in College Writing to gain English Studies discipline-speific mastery of the writing conventions, research, and citation practices used in departments of English. In addition, students practice the digital skills that will support them as they join the online learning community of the UML Department of English. 3 credits.

This course teaches students how to sharpen their critical reading skills by learning to think about the short story in terms of its evolution over the last 200 years and by studying its literary techniques and themes. Student practice close, active reading as they examine and express their reactions to authors' works Readings may include authors such as Alexie, Alvarez, Baldwin, Bambara, Bechdel, Chekhov, Diaz, Faulkner, Gilman, Hawthorne, Hemingway, Irving, LeGuin, Lispector, Marquez, O'Connor, Poe, and Tolstoy. 3 credits. AH
Prerequisites:

ENGL.1020 pre-req

This course examines literary responses to science in England and the United States from the early Nineteenth Century to the present. Readings include novels--Frankenstein, The Island of Doctor Moreau, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Jurassic Park--essays, and poems. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Social Responsibility & Ethics (SRE). 3 credits. AHE
Prerequisites:

ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req

A course for aspiring creative writers among freshman and sophomores which offers an introduction to the craft of creative writing in its primary genres: poetry, fiction, drama, creative non-fiction (emphases will vary depending upon instructor). The focus of this course will be on learning the fundamentals of craft techniques and peer review. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ENGL.1020, or instructor permission

Contemporary Women Writers introduces students to American women writers of the last fifty years. We examine the historical,socio-cultural, political, and personal influences on these writers' work by studying trends and events in recent American history and themes reflected in the works. By studying contemporary women's writing in this contextualized fashion, students can appreciate larger trends in our society, the role writing plays in examining such trends, and the value of literature as an exploration of human growth and struggle. Through discussion, group collaboration, critical analysis, and by designing their own graphic organizers, students gain a breadth of knowledge in the following areas: the themes and stylistic concerns of contemporary American women writers; the key historical events that influence contemporary American women's writing; the critical reading of literary texts. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA). 3 credits. LT, AH
Prerequisites:

ENGL.1020

This course explores how texts -- including novels, short stories, poems, memoirs, essays, plays, and videos -- portray people with disabilities. We will consider the problematic stereotypes about disabilities that sometimes appear in popular culture and literary depictions, and read texts that provide insight into a diverse community of people with a range of disabilities. 3 credits.

Discusses the theory and practice of poetry. Conducted as a workshop with close analysis of student work. 3 credits.

This course is designed for students who are interested in writing in one or more of the popular forms of genre fiction: the mystery, the horror story, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and the thriller. Class time will be spent discussing and work-shopping student writing. Some time will also be devoted each week to brief lectures on practical matters like choosing between the short story and the novel, finding ideas, constructing plots, building characters, pacing, generating suspense, and marketing one's work. In addition, there will be assigned readings to illustrate the above. 3 credits.

Selected novels by writers such as Austen, the Brontes, Eliot, Woolf, Bowen, and Drabble. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA) and Social Responsibility & Ethics (SRE). 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req

This course will examine the history and theories of composition and rhetoric, studying the field from its inception to more recent developments and challenges. We will also explore our own writing processes and literary practices. The course is furthermore grounded on the idea that literary practices are shaped by our culture. The course introduces practical approaches to as well as theoretical frameworks beneficial for those interested in composition studies. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Applied & Integrative Learning (AIL). 3 credits.

A study of selected histories, comedies, and tragedies. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Information Literacy (IL) and Written & Oral Communication (WOC). 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req

A solid introduction to major trends in contemporary critical theory. Emphasis on producing a sample critical paper treating one or more current critical approaches to reading a literary text. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req

Gain professional experience, develop essential skills, grow your network, and investigate career paths through service-learning or other types of internships taken for academic credit that counts towards your degree. Pre-arranged internships are available, or students can find their own positions with instructor assistance/approval. Classroom time supports professionalization and career development through hands-on activities. 3 credits.

Foundations of Liberal Studies is a required course for all BLA majors. This course examines the value and importance of drawing on several academic disciplines to understand issues that are too complex to be addressed effectively using any single discipline. Using a case study approach, we will examine how the elements of various disciplines can be integrated and synthesized to understand and give voice to complex issues dealing with health, environment, governance, peace and conflict, etc. Upon completing the course, students will be able to view the courses in their tow BLA concentrations from an interdisciplinary perspective by observing how elements of each discipline can contribute to the understanding of global problems. These skills will be applied in the BLA Capstone Course. 3 credits.

Student enrolled in the BLA program complete the BLA Capstone course during their senior year. This course features a semester-long interdisciplinary project, using knowledge gained from the students' two BLA concentrations, as well as any minors, as applicable. Students enrolled on-campus may choose to complete an original research study, creative art project (i,e., writing, film, music, drawing, etc.), or a problem-focused community action project. Online students choose to do either an original research project or a creative art project. Projects are completed in consultation with the instructor of the BLA Capstone course. 3 credits.

Exercises, lectures and projects will introduce students to graphic design principles and techniques. Course will begin with a fundamental study of image, form, and space relations, then cover such topics as working with grids, typography basics, page layout, the introduction of color, rendering techniques, history, and more. Students will be assigned a series of projects to enhance their visual communication skills. Formerly 70.291 & 70.210. 3 credits/3 contact hours. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

Basic Computer Prof. (CSCE)

Studies typographic concepts, techniques, and the creative use of type in visual communication. Emphasis will be placed upon the history of type design and its context within the graphic design industry. Formerly 70.240. 3 credits/3 contact hours. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

Basic Computer Prof. (CSCE)

Covers the fundamentals of image enhancement, image manipulation, scanning, digital capture and using industry-standard photo imaging software. Image preparation for a variety of media will also be explored. Formerly 70.262. 3 credits/3 contact hours. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

Basic Computer Prof. (CSCE)

Students will be assigned a variety of advanced-level projects dealing with areas such as logo design, publication design, interactive screen design, direct mail projects, corporate identity systems, poster design, and more. Projects in this class are designed to better develop the students ability to take a project to its final stage and render it as a professional portfolio piece. Formerly 70.391. 3 credits/3 contact hours. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

GRFX 2000 or GRFX 2020 Pre/Co-

Studies expressive visual communications of words including type hierarchy, grid organization, and the primary visual communication job of typographic design. Students should be able to articulate ideas and thought processes in relation to their use of type. An extended type project will be completed. Objectives include furthering the student sensitivity to the qualities of letter forms, legibility, and the refinement of technical skills. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

GRFX.2020, Fundamentals of Typography, GRFX.2030 Photographic Imaging, GRFX.2040 Computer graphics and Illustration.

Instruction in the design and layout of commercial advertisements as well as the creative aspects of advertising are integral parts of this course. Practical problems and technical guidance from preliminary layouts to finished work will help preliminary layouts to finished work will help prepare students for the commercial art field. Students will prepare an advertising campaign concept and translate it into a professionally-designed commercial series for use in their portfolios. This course will focus on the integration of design with the overall advertising message. Formerly 70.392. 3 credits/3 contact hours. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

GRFX 2000&202,Familiarity/Adob

Project based introduction to design for the user experience on mobile and web devices. It introduces tools, techniques, and information about Human-Computer Interaction and offers an approach to design for mobile devices. Students should be able to articulate ideas and thought processes in relation to their choice of design and type. An extended project will be completed. Objectives include an introduction to user research methods, design validation, and ADA compliance. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

GRFX.2020, Fundamentals of Typography, GRFX.2030 Photographic Imaging, GRFX.2000 Intro to Graphic Design.

This course is designed to help students to organize their work into a professional package and prepare it for presentation. Students may decide to rework existing portfolio pieces or complete additional design projects to enhance their existing portfolios and fully demonstrate their design capabilities. Mock interviews will be conducted in which students will have an opportunity to discuss their work. Includes an end-of-semester portfolio review. 3 credits/3 contact hours. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

GRFX 2000,202,211 & 300 Pre-re

This course surveys some important issues and tendencies in the history of Western Civilization from its origins through the early modern period, including ancient Mesopotamia, classical Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. These include "civilization" and the rise of cities, different imaginings of god(s) and humanity, evolving forms of political organization, continuity and change in social organization and everyday life, and the ongoing dialogue of faith and reason. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA). 3 credits. AHD

This class examines societies and cultures from ancient until early modern times with the underlying assumption that world history is an important conceptual tool for understanding our interdependent world. Course topics analyze the nature of the earliest human communities, the development of the first civilizations and the subsequent emergence of cultures in selected areas of Eurasia, Africa, and the Americas. This course also offers a consideration of issues related to the connections and relationships that shaped civilizations as a result of migration, war, commerce, and the various cultural expressions of self, society, and the cosmos before 1500. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA). 3 credits. AHD

This course will introduce you to the study of world history, its relevance for living in the present, and the challenge to think critically about the emergence and subsequent development of the modern world since 1500. Participants in this course will examine experiences that transcend societal and cultural regions, focus on processes of cross-cultural interaction, and investigate patterns that influenced historical development and continue to impact societies on a global scale. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA). 3 credits. AHD

The Second World War transformed states and people from East Asia to the United States to Europe. We examine diplomatic and military aspects of the war and how it affected the lives of people in the countries involved. Topics include the prelude to the war, military campaigns in Europe and the Pacific, collaboration and resistance, the home front, the Holocaust, science and the atom bomb, and the consequences of the war. 3 credits. HS

This course surveys African American history in the United States from colonization to the present. It begins with a study of life in West Africa and traces the forced migration of Africans to the Americas. It explores West African transmissions, the freedom struggle, the great migrations from the South, the Harlem Renaissance, the modern Civil Rights movement, and the continuing impact of African Americans on life in the 21st century. 3 credits. AHD

Europe has been transformed in the last 250 years from an agricultural society to a post-industrial one. We study the processes by which this happened, from the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and early 19th century to the wars and depressions of the early 20th century and the collapse of the communist system and European unification in the late 20th century. Students learn basic concepts and methods of history and economics. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

Minimum Sophomore status

In a world in which genocide is real, the murder of six-to-eight million Jews between 1939 and 1945 remains a critical topic of inquiry. When were factories of death first conceived? What perverse rationale motivated the collaborators who built and operated the gas chambers and crematoria? This course will answer questions of this kind by examining the most respected scholars who have written on and primary sources that speak directly to the Holocaust 3 credits.

This course surveys the increasing political, social, and economic tensions between the North and the South during the first half of the nineteenth century; the explosion of those tensions into secession and conflict; the four years of war; and the postwar struggle to reconstruct the South and forge a new union. 3 credits. HS
Prerequisites:

Sophomore level or higher

Spanning the period from the "October Revolution" of 1917 to Stalin's death in 1953, this course considers "Stalinist Russia" from the perspectives of economics, society, the arts, politics and war. In the course, we will read the preeminent historians who have written on these topics. 3 credits. HS

This course examines the history and progress of the disability rights movement in America, the current state of the law, trends, and prospects for the future, with particular focus on those laws designed specifically to address the needs of people with disabilities. 3 credits.

This course serves as an introductory legal course. It is a survey of many specific topics, such as constitutional law, contracts, intellectual property law, and current legal topics of interest. More importantly, the course emphasizes critical legal thinking, legal ethics, and human values. 3 credits. BS

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of business law. The main emphasis is on key aspects of contract law, including the agreement, consideration, writings, third-party rights, illegality, performance, breach, defenses, and remedies The course also covers agency law, employment law, sections of the Uniform Commercial Code, and a variety of other legal issues and topics that influence and intersect with modern business practices. This course is highly recommended for pre-law students, CPA students, and paralegal students. 3 credits. BS, Collateral CJ

This course studies the law pertaining to business entities and structures. Partnerships, limited partnerships, and joint ventures are studied at the outset of the course. The main emphasis is on elements of the corporate structure. The last part of the course deals with personal and real property with coverage of wills and trusts. This course is highly recommended for pre-law students, CPA students, and paralegal students. 3 credits.

This course examines contracts for the sale of real estate, deeds, title examinations, security for real estate transactions, methods and problems of co-ownership, zoning ordinances, brokerage contracts, leases and landlord, and tenant rights and liabilities. 3 credits.

This course studies the critical family law issues facing society today. Subject matter examined may include the law of marriage, custody, adoption, divorce, child support, juveniles, right to die, fetal tissue transfer to prolong the life of another, reproduction control, and surrogate parenting. This course is taught from a legal and human values perspective. 3 credits.

This course presents legal issues that often or particularly affect women. Topics may include sex discrimination, sexual harassment, rape, marriage, divorce, reproductive control, surrogate motherhood, and custody. 3 credits.

The traditional trial is becoming increasingly rare in modern civil litigation; the large majority of disputes are resolved by other techniques. This course will examine alternative methods of dispute resolution such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and the mini trial. 3 credits.

This course surveys the law of the protection of ideas, trade secrets, inventions, artistic creations, and reputation. The course will briefly review the law of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and geographical indication. The course will cover the distinction between the various forms of intellectual property, and the statutory and common law methods of enforcing rights. 3 credits.

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of legal research and writing. Students will gain hands-on experience in legal research and in the reporting of such research in written assignments, case briefs, and memoranda. 3 credits.

This course provides an introduction to the law of wills, trusts, and estates. This course covers the fundamental legal concepts and vocabulary necessary to understand, draft, and work with the core estate planning tools. Practical examples and sample legal cases and materials will be provided and discussed. No prior legal knowledge is required, though some familiarity with the United States legal system or case law will be helpful. 3 credits.

This course introduces students to the law of the Internet and regulation of lawful and unlawful computer activities. Traditional notions about privacy, defamation, contracts, freedom of expression, pornography, stalking, jurisdiction and intellectual property are challenged by the latest cyberspace technology. Much of the debate about control, which leads to questions about rights and responsibilities, centers around who, if anyone, should design the legal architecture of cyberspace. These and other topical subjects serve as the focus on the study of legal issues in cyberspace. 3 credits.

Examines some of the typical approaches to philosophical questioning and the issues raised in such inquiry: what is true knowledge, what is reality, what is the good, what is the right political order, what is the nature of religious faith? Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Critical Thinking & Problem Solving (CTPS). 3 credits. VC, AHE

Studies the methods used to distinguish correct from incorrect reasoning. This course will aim at developing (1) an ability to express one's ideas clearly and concisely; (2) an increased skill in defining one's terms; and(3) a capacity to formulate arguments vigorously and to scrutinize them critically. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Critical Thinking & Problem Solving (CTPS) and Quantitative Literacy (QL). 3 credits. VC

Examines the basic issues and problems of ethics and values and a survey of some important alternative answers to the questions raised, on both an individual and a social level, by our necessity to act and to live in a rational and human way. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Social Responsibility & Ethics (SRE). 3 credits. AHDE

Political philosohy is concerned with basic questions about community, public life, and social organization. This course will address issues such as the rights of the individual in relation to the power of the state and society; the nature and legitimacy of political authority and democracy; the significance of power, economics, justice and equality in social life; and the duties and responsibilities of citizens. We will also consider the philosophical meaning of communitarianism, liberalism, and republicanism, individualism, capitalism, and socialism, as well as the role of class, race, and gender in politics. 3 credits.

This course is designed to introduce students to fundamental questions in philosophy of science. We will cover both descriptive issues such as how scientific theories become "facts," and normative questions that ask how we ought to structure scientific inquiry. We will cover a range of scientific disciplines including physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and even paleontology. We'll also cover disciplines that are more or less controversial as "sciences," such as economics, mathematics, medicine, and engineering. 3 credits.

A study of religious knowledge and the phenomena of religion from a philosophical standpoint. The course considers explanations for religious behavior, some central issues in religious belief, and the values and goals of religious systems. Various world religions provide specific data for these topics. 3 credits.

Examines the basic issues and problems in the philosophical study of disability, including engagement with the interdisciplinary field of disability studies. Provides a survey of issues relating to the lived experience of disability, disability and well-being, theories of disability, and the concepts of normality, fitness and ableism as they relate to the practice and institutions of medicine, politics, religion, and society more generally. 3 credits.

A philosophical analysis of the ethical dimensions and responsibilities of the engineering profession. Specific case studies and ethical issues are analyzed through the application of some of the basic concepts and principles of traditional and contemporary ethical theories. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Social Responsibility & Ethics (SRE). 3 credits.

The aim of this course is to introduce students to both historical and contemporary discussions surrounding the topics of sex and love. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA). 3 credits.

Students in this course will be introduced to current and longstanding debates within Latin American Philosophy. They will also be exposed to many of the principle texts and thinkers within this burgeoning tradition. The class includes a survey of Latin American philosophy ranging from pre-colonial Aztec thought to the debates over the struggle for Latin American independence, and also the question of identity: what constitutes Latin American philosophy. 3 credits.

This course addresses ethical issues that arise in biomedical research and practice including autonomy in the doctor-patient relationship, the duty of confidentiality, the right to refuse treatment, the right to death with dignity, the ethics of experimentation with human subjects, the ethics of genetic enhancement, and justice in health care distribution. The course will combine theoretical perspectives and concrete case studies that illustrate actual dilemmas that the health care profession has in fact encountered over the years. 3 credits.

An introduction to the politics, structure, and behavior of the American National Political Community. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Social Responsibility & Ethics (SRE). 3 credits. SS

Surveys some recent methods and approaches used in the study of international politics and provides an introduction to current problems of foreign policies of major world powers. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA). 3 credits. BS/SSD

Analyzes the growing importance of sports in American life. Examines the psychological, political and social impact of sports on society. Discusses how sports have been shaped by such monumental events as war, the civil rights movement, and the changing economy. 3 credits.

This course will examine the influence social media and web connectivity have had on political campaigns, campaign fundraising, political mobilization, and the recent proliferation of democratic movements. 3 credits.

Presents an introduction to the nature of the legal process and the operation of the American legal system. Also discusses considerations of its political and social functions. 3 credits.

Examination and study of politics and government at the state and local levels, with emphasis on Massachusetts and New England. Practitioners from state and local government will meet with the class. 3 credits.

Analysis of the role of film in creating, expressing, revealing, and responding to social and political ideas and values. Examines a variety of film and film styles and introduces students to elements of film theory, the theory of popular culture and the role of film in forming our ideas about the world. 3 credits.

The course will examine current debates in food politics over: regulatory politics and the appropriate reach of the state in food labeling, safety, and oversight; genetically modified food, organic and sustainable agriculture, the effects of economic globalization of the food supply chain and the future of the world food system. 3 credits.

A study of constitutional law focused on the powers and principles of American government. We will discuss the Declaration of Independence and Revolution, separation of powers, federalism, natural rights, and ordered liberty, emphasizing the case law on the origins of judicial review, the Commerce Clause, war powers, executive privilege, elections, criminal procedure, and search under the Fourth Amendment. Political Science offers two courses in constitutional law for students from any major who are preparing for law school or seeking a background in how constitutional law influences American politics and culture. POLI.3350 or POLI.3370 can be taken alone or both courses in either sequence. On campus and online versions are identical, so student can take each course in either format. 3 credits.

A study of constitutional law focused on rights and liberties. We will discuss the balance of liberty and authority under the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Fourteenth Amendment, due process, and equal protection, emphasizing the case law on freedom of religion, speech, press, gun rights, LBGT rights, race, abortion, gender, and the death penalty. Political Science offers two courses in constitutional law for students form any major who are preparing for law school or seeking a background in how constitutional law influences American politics and culture. POLI.3350 or POLI.3370 can be taken alone or both courses in either sequence. On campus and online versions are identical, so students can take each course in either format. 3 credits.

Legislative Politics. An advanced study of representation, campaigns and elections, and the functioning of the American national congress within the American political system. 3 credits.

An examination of the nature of the American presidency and its functioning within the American political system. Specific attention is given to the problems and evolution of the presidency since World War I. 3 credits.

An examination of the little studied fourth branch of government. Bureaucratic power in the American political system is reconsidered. 3 credits.

An introduction course that focuses on application of the scientific method to major areas of psychology: biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality, and mental and physical health. The course addresses the importance of social and cultural diversity, ethics, variations in human functioning, and applications to life and social action both within these areas and integrated across them. The research basis for knowledge in the field is emphasized. 3 credits. BS

An introduction to the study of human personality. This course uses both theory and contemporary empirical evidence to examine approaches to understanding individual differences. Theoretical approaches include psychoanalytic, humanistic, cognitive, trait, type, and behavioral. Applications to topics such as self-concept, anxiety, adjustment, and achievement motivation will be considered. 3 credits. BS
Prerequisites:

PSYC.1010 pre-req or co-req

Surveys the field of community psychology, including principles of social justice, diversity, and social change. The course reviews historical antecedents, paradigms, conceptual models, strategies and tactics of social and community change and action; examples from selected contexts and social systems, including education, mental health, community organizations, the workplace, health care, justice system, and social services will be employed. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA). 3 credits. BS
Prerequisites:

PSYC.1010 pre-req or co-req

The developmental science of childhood and adolescence. Major theoretical perspectives, research methods, and ethical issues are presented with respect to prenatal development, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and the transition to adulthood. Empirical evidence for development in relevant contexts across biological, psychological, and social domains is examined. 3 credits. SS; Formerly Human Development I
Prerequisites:

PSYC.1010 pre-req or co-req

Presents an introduction to the study of various patterns of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders including diagnosis, etiology, and treatment. Current research-based theoretical approaches will be discussed as a means to gain a better understanding of psychological, biological, and sociocultural causes. Emphasis will be placed on the important notion that mental health problems are not only linked to individual factors, but also to family, community/social, cultural, societal, political, and historical factors. 3 credits. SS
Prerequisites:

PSYC.1010 pre-req

Surveys issues and topics dealing with the physiological and evolutionary bases of behavior. Biological systems and processes that influence behavior are considered, with particular emphasis on brain mechanisms. Recent discoveries in the neurosciences will be presented. Methods of research are reviewed. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.1010 pre-req

Provides an introductory overview of the research on mental processes including but not limited to: attention, perception, memory, learning and decision-making. The course will also connect cognitive psychological research to other branches of study, as well as real world domains such as education, law, and health. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.1010 pre-req

Examines various methods and techniques suitable for the modification of human behavior, based on the principles and findings of experimental studies of animal and human behavior. Considers how such methods can be used in education, mental health and corrections, and self-directed personal change. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.1010 pre-req

Considers such topics as: the psychology of sex differences; biological bases of psychological sex differences; the nature of female sexuality; clinical theory and practice concerning women; women as mental patients and mental health consumers; implications for psychology and for women's status. 3 credits. BS/SSD
Prerequisites:

PSYC.1010 pre-req

Addresses the biological, psychosocial, and attitudinal aspects of human sexuality through lectures, discussions, films from a variety of perspectives. 3 credits. BS/SS
Prerequisites:

PSYC.1010 pre-req

Begins with an overview of recent theoretical perspectives on adult development and aging. In chronological sequence, it presents the stages of adulthood and concludes with death and dying. Topics covered include personal, family, and vocational development through adulthood, gender pattern differences, and the impact of changing demographics, including the lengthening of the life span. 3 credits. SS; Formerly Human Development II
Prerequisites:

PSYC 1010,260 pre-reqs

Examines behavior problems of childhood and adolescence across developmental transitions with a focus on the interaction of risk and protective factors in the child and his or her social context (e.g., family, school, friendships). Problems such as depression, anxiety, conduct disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities, and the consequences of trauma and maltreatment are addressed. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC 1010,260 pre-reqs

This course examines a range of developmental disabilities, their etiology, consideration of underlying brain function, assessment procedures, and current diagnostic, treatment and educational approaches. In addition, the impact of disability on individuals and the families of those affected, cultural and social aspects of disability, and current practices in service provision will be considered. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC 1010,260 pre-reqs

This course provides students with a wide range of interests and backgrounds with the opportunity to examine their own mental model(attitudes/values/ assumptions) of disability. It includes an overview of the nature of intellectual disability and other disabilities and it provides opportunities to explore and understand the historical social response to disability. Students will look at a range of strategies for providing support and intervention and they will learn about how to effect change through a variety of strategies, including advocacy. 3 credits. SSDE
Prerequisites:

PHYC.1010, no FAHS.3630

Serves as the basic course in sociology. Emphasis is directed at the ways in which social institutions such as government, schools, the economy, social class, and the family develop and influence our lives. It is concerned not only with presenting various ways to understand our relationship to society but also with ways to change it. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA). 3 credits. BS/SSD

Focuses on a different country or region each time it is given. Students examine the traditional culture, recent history, economic development, class structure, and international relations of the area covered. 3 credits. BS

Studies the meaning of work in our society. Class participants will assess their own life experiences and develop plans to integrate interests, values, and abilities into meaningful and realistic life/work options. 3 credits. BS
Prerequisites:

Jr./Sr. status

This course is organized around several key questions that are used to study the concepts of disability and ability from a variety of sociological and interdisciplinary perspectives. Specifically, the course explores representations of disability in popular culture and medical discourses to discuss disability and ability as social constructs. By looking at various literary and cultural representations, this course investigates constructions of the disabled and abled body, how this becomes politicized, and the implications of these constructions. 3 credits.

This course provides an introduction to the sociological analysis of gender in its intersections with sexuality, race, class, (dis)ability, and other identities and inequalities. The focus is on examining the role of gender across a range of social institutions, such as the family, workplaces, schools, and the media, in order to give students the tools to understand the material impacts of gender as well as associated cultural norms. Students will use feminist theory and sociological concepts to critically examine the concepts of sex and gender and to understand the ways in which individuals across gender identity and other identities are impacted. The course counts towards minors in Gender Studies, Labor Studies, American Studies, and Disability Studies. 3 credits.

Focuses on the phenomenon of social class distinctions with particular emphasis on social class in America. The approach is both historical and sociological. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

SOCI.1010 pre-req

Deals with issues related to the quality of life in American cities. Students taking this course may engage in research projects on the city of Lowell and the role of the University of Massachusetts Lowell within that city. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

SOCI.1010 pre-req

By 2060, Latinos are forecast to comprise over 28 percent of the US population. While the presentation of Latinos/as in public discourse often frames them a recently arrived immigrants, Spanish-speaking peoples in the US have a long and rich history. This course focuses a sociological lens on the historical and contemporary experiences of a community whose emergence requires deep analysis. Emphasis is placed on immigration policy, demographic shifts, labor market discrimination and bilingual education. 3 credits.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

All bachelor's degree candidates are required to earn a minimum 2.000 cumulative grade point average (GPA), to present a minimum of 120 semester hours, to fulfill the residency requirements, to conform to the general regulations and requirements of the University, to satisfy the regulations and academic standards of the colleges which exercise jurisdiction over the degrees for which they are matriculating, to satisfy the curriculum requirements established by the departments or programs in their major, and to complete the University's Core Curriculum requirements, which are listed within the program's curriculum outline. For additional information regarding the University's general policies and procedures, transfer credit information and residency requirements; please refer to our Academic Policies & Procedures.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.

Fall 2023 Tuition

 Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Undergraduate
Online $380 $1,140
Online Business** $385 $1,155
On Campus Lowell $340 $1,020
*If the number of contact hours exceeds the number of credits, tuition is calculated by multiplying by the total number of contact hours.

Additional Costs
Term Registration Fee $30
Late Fee $50
Undergraduate Degree Application $60

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Tuition Calculator

Estimate the cost of this program with our online tuition calculator

Looking for Financial Assistance?

UMass Lowell offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options.
Learn More »
hand and coin

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A liberal arts degree can help you acquire the skills and mindset needed to succeed in today's rapidly changing job market. Throughout the program, you'll develop strong writing and communication skills, creativity, innovation and critical thinking.

    However, one of the primary benefits of a liberal arts program is the multidisciplinary, well-rounded education you'll gain. In addition to concentrating on two different subjects, you'll explore an array of courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences and STEM, which will help you develop a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges we face within organizations and our societies.

    Additionally, a liberal arts education encourages you to be curious and explore new ideas, which can lead to career breakthroughs. Whether you're interested in pursuing a career in business, law, education, or any other field, a liberal arts degree can give you the foundation you need to succeed.

  • A liberal arts degree provides students with a well-rounded education beyond technical skills. Employers value graduates who have a broad knowledge base and can think critically and creatively.

    In fact, a recent study conducted by the Mellon Foundation on The Economic Gains of a Liberal Arts Education debunks the myth that a liberal arts education is not worth the investment. Not only do liberal arts students experience significant economic mobility in various career paths, but they also earn more than expected.

    Now that liberal arts degree holders are employable in more diverse fields than ever before, their starting salaries have risen. According to a 2018 report by labor market analytics firm Emsi and the Strada Institute for the Future of Work, the most valuable workers have the technical knowledge and the "uniquely human skills" that a liberal arts education provides.

    One of the most significant advantages of a liberal arts degree is its versatility. Unlike more specialized degrees, such as engineering or nursing, liberal arts provide a broad range of knowledge and skills that apply to various industries and careers. Employers value this adaptability, allowing them to hire candidates who adjust to changing business needs and take on new challenges.

  • Many liberal arts students move on to careers in education, but there are some additional steps you'll need to take to become a certified teacher. To begin, research your state's specific teaching requirements on your local Department of Education website. In Massachusetts, you must earn an initial or preliminary teaching license, followed by professional licensure, to teach in the public school system.

    If you're interested in a career as a teacher but don't meet your state's teaching requirements, you might consider gaining experience as a volunteer or substitute teacher. Many school districts need substitute teachers, and volunteering in a classroom or after-school program can provide valuable networking opportunities. Additionally, these experiences can help you determine if teaching is your right career path before committing to a certification or graduate program.

  • The length of time it takes to complete your liberal arts degree depends on a number of different factors, including whether you are a full-time or part-time student, how many credits you transfer in and whether you take time off school to tend to other responsibilities.

    One of the advantages of being an online bachelor's student at UMass Lowell is that you are allowed as much time as you need to complete your program. However, many students declare liberal arts as their major because the flexibility of the curriculum allows them to accelerate their degree progress. With UMass Lowell's 90-credit transfer policy, you can complete your program in as little as 12-36 months.

Apply

Applying into an Undergraduate Degree Program

Complete the Online Undergraduate Degree Application Form (preferred), or print, complete and submit the Undergraduate Degree Application .pdf form. Please note: Your application will be processed once we have received your $60 application fee. Return your completed application along with your application fee to:

University of Massachusetts Lowell
Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies
GPS Admissions
839 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01854

Questions? See our helpful Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for acceptance into a bachelor's degree program offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies, students must hold a high school diploma or have passed either the GED® or HiSET®. Graduate, Online & Professional Studies operates on a rolling admissions basis and each application is reviewed when the student's file is complete. Students must be admitted to a degree or certificate program in order to be eligible for most financial aid.

Apply Now

Questions Regarding Your Undergraduate Application?

Email OCE_Admissions@uml.edu or call 978-934-2474.

For General Assistance:

Call the Advising Center at 978-934-2474 or 800-480-3190. Our academic advisors are here to help!

Already Applied?

Check the Status of Your Application
Out-of-State

Information for Out-of-State Students

International

Information for International Students

Take Your Career to New Levels with a Public, Nonprofit University and a Trusted Leader in Online Education

Apply Now Request Info

UML Online

24x7 Online Course Support

Internal Resources

Connect With Us

Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn

UML Resources

Mailing Address

University of Massachusetts Lowell
Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies

839 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01854

Contact Us

Mon-Thur 8:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (EST)
Fri 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (EST)
  • Local Phone Number:
  • 1-978-934-2474
  • Toll Free Number:
  • 1-800-480-3190
Get Info
Courses
Apply